Archos Inc. on Thursday introduced the Gmini 402 Pocket Multimedia Center, a portable device that plays movies and music and displays photos. Equipped with a 20GB hard disk drive and a 2.2-inch color screen, the Gmini costs US$299.95 and is Mac and PC-compatible.
The Gmini 402 measures 4.17 x 2.37 x 0.69 inches and weighs 5.64 ounces. In addition to its music, video and photo playback capability, the Gmini 402 doubles as a camcorder — it can record up to 50 hours of video in MPEG 4 format, or store 1.2 megapixel photos, using a built-in lens.
The device is now Microsoft “PlaysForSure” compatible, which assures users that it’ll work with Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology for download and subscription-based music services. Like all portable devices except for the iPod, the Gmini 402 does not support FairPlay, the DRM encryption method used by Apple’s iTunes Music Store.
A USB host port on the device lets users transfer photos directly from digital cameras and other devices without having to use a computer as an intermediate step. You can drag and drop MP3 music onto the device when it’s connected to the computer; it also supports autosyncing with Windows Media Player 10. You can watch movies in MPEG-4 and Windows Media Video format also.
Included with the device are earphones, USB cable, USB host adapter, AC power charger, Quick Start guide and pouch.
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